Below are some of the automobile recalls for July 2010

  • Chrysler is recalling some 2010 left hand drive Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro and Ram 1500 trucks and right and left hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles that may have been built with an improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit brake tube assembly end flare. This could lead to a loss of brake fluid resulting to reduced braking. Dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler toll-free at 1-800-853-1403.
  • Ducati is recalling some 2010 Multistrada 1200 motorcycles for several problems. The throttle cables may come in contact with the upper edge of the radiator, the center stand mounting screws may come loose during operation, and an incorrect screw may have been installed in the steering head. Dealers will correct these problems free of charge. Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696.
  • Ford is recalling certain 2010 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured from December 5, 2008 to May 31, 2010. The headliner retention push pin located on the headliner above the b-pillar trim on both the left and right side of the vehicles needs to be replaced because it exceeds the head injury criteria requirement standards. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company at 1-866-436-7332.
  • Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2010 FXDF motorcycles with fork leg assemblies (LH P/N 48622-08, RH P/N 48623-08) manufactured from January 29 through February 9, 2010. The wrong springs used in these fork leg assemblies may reduce suspension effectiveness which may result in reduced traction and possibly affect parking stability. Harley-Davidson will notify owners and dealers will repair the affected motorcycles free of charge. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
  • Jaguar is recalling some 2010-2011 XK and 2010 XF V8 5.0L gasoline engine vehicles which may experience fuel starvation due to an incorrectly activated fuel pump relay. Dealers will download revised software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before August 30, 2010. Owners may contact Jaguar at 1-800-452-4827.
  • Kawasaki is recalling certain 2009 EX650C9F/FL and 2010 EX650CAF/FL Ninja 650 motorcycles for cowlings that can interfere with the operator’s foot while braking. This could reduce the operator’s control over braking or distract the operator, creating the potential for a crash. Dealers will install an updated footrest guard and fairing bracket free of charge. Owners may contact Kawasaki Consumer Services Department at 1-866-802-9381.
  • Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles manufactured from August 24, 2001 through August 28, 2001. Due to an improper installation, the inflator housing may rupture, producing loose metal fragments that could injure the front passenger. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module assembly with a new one free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin August. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
  • Subaru is recalling some 2010 and 2011 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from April 28 to June 23, 2010. An omitted lubrication hole prevents the transmission gears from being lubricated, which will lead to the gears eventually breaking. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
  • Yamaha is recalling certain 2009 VMX17 motorcycles manufactured from June 2008 to March 2009. Excessive electrical resistance in the accelerator position sensors and throttle position sensors ground wire could lead to a dangerous unstable idle speed. Yamaha will notify owners and dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.

A recent recall on Mercedes Benz G-Class sport utility and G55 AMG model vehicles may give some off roader enthusiasts second thoughts about complying. About 2,000 2002-2009 G55 AMG models are violation federal lighting standard because of a grill guard designed to protect the headlamps while driving off road as well as about 3,500 G-class models from 2002-2010 have grills that cover the front turn signals. The fix for the recall is to remove the grills from in front of the headlamps and an improved reflector installed for the signal lights.

Mercedes will send owners notices of the recall, but neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Mercedes can force owners who like the extra protection to carry out the fix.

On Monday, Honda Motor Co. announced that they would be recalling more than 428,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the vehicles may roll away if parked incorrectly. The vehicles involved in this recall are 2003 and 2004 Accord, Civic, Element and some Acura 1.7 ELs.

The problem is with the ignition interlock lever, the device that stops the ignition key from being removed, when the vehicle is not in park. If the part fails, it is possible that the driver may think the car is in park when it is not.

The safety recall started with an inquiry from U.S. safety regulators in September 2008. By 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its inquiry of the potential defect for the 2002 model year Accord. In early July, Honda and NHTSA representatives met to discuss the situation and on July 29 Honda determined that it had a safety defect with the ignition switch that demanded a recall.

Toyota announced Thursday that they will be recalling 373,000, 2000-2004 Avalon sedans as well as 39,000 2003-2007 Lexus LX470 SUVs for two unrelated steering system defects.

The defect in the Avalon Sedan is being blamed on an improper casting in a component of the steering lock system. If the steering is turned hard to the right, the component may break, resulting in the steering locking up. There have been six reports of the problem in the U.S. Three resulting in accidents with no injuries.

In the Lexus LX479 SUV, the snap ring on the steering shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an impact to the front wheel, such as hitting a pothole. Over time, this may cause the steering shaft to disengage. Toyota was not aware of any accidents resulting from the Lexus steering-shaft problem.

In announcing the latest recall, Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s chief quality officer for North America, said the automaker was “continuing to work diligently to address safety issues wherever they arise and to strengthen our global quality assurance operations so that Toyota owners can be confident in the safety of their vehicles.”

Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be recalling certain 2010 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Ram vehicles which were built will a defective part that could affect the braking ability. In certain models, the improperly formed part could allow brake fluid to drain out of the system leading to a loss of braking.

Although the NHTSA notice has already been issued, a full recall won’t take place until August, where dealers will install replacement brake tubes on affected models free of charge. If you have questions you can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403, or the NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Freightliner Columbia, Cascadia, Coronado, Century, M2, Sterling 9500, and Western Star 4900 vehicles equipped with DD13 and DD15/DD16 engines and manufactured from January 1, 2007 through April 5, 2010. The problem is with the fuel filter becoming restricted resulting in the low pressure fuel flange becoming cracked resulting in a fuel leak. The fuel flange will be replaced with a new part free of charge. Owners may contact Daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0172.

Below are some of the automobile recalls for June 2010

  • Access Options is recalling certain trucks and vans built on Ford E150, E350, Toyota Sienna, and Dodge Grand Caravan chassis and equipped with VMI/Ricon 6-way power seat bases. The seat base may have a defective weld on the pivot pin which could fail and injure the occupant. The manufacturer will replace the swivel plate free of charge if necessary. Owners may contact Access Option at 831-722-6804.
  • BMW is recalling 2008-2011 1-Series vehicles. In a crash that allows the front pre-tensioner and load limiter to deploy, the insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite. The manufacturer is still working on a remedy for the problem. If owners would like more information, they can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Subaru is recalling certain 2010 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle’s steering wheel may develop stress cracks and break resulting in certain electrical components not operating. Possible circuits affected are the driver’s frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions. Dealers will check lot numbers of the steering roll connector and will replace it with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
  • Suzuki is recalling some 2006 grand Vitara’s and 2005-2006 XL-7 vehicles for the tension adjuster pulley that operates the power steering pump and air conditioner compressor. Repeated heat stress can cause the outer portion plastic materials to deteriorate and break off. Broken pieces of the pulley can get caught between the pulley and the drive belt, causing the drive belt to come off, making the vehicle difficult to steer. Dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley free of charge. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
  • Volvo is recalling some 2010-2011 C30, 2010 S40 and V50 vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions. The gearshift lever stud assembly may not have been torqued to the correct specification which could result in the gearshift lever cable or stud assembly to become loose, making it difficult to engage, disengage or shift gears. Dealers will torque the gearshift lever stud assembly to the correct specification free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or customercare@volvoforlife.com.
  • Volvo Trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured with a TRW sealed drag links. Certain factors can exist, which if left untreated may result in a ball socket separation resulting in complete loss of steering. Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before August 15, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586

Toyota Motor Corp. will be recalling 270,000 Lexus and other vehicles worldwide to fix faulty engines that could make vehicles stall while driving. The problem is with contaminated materials used to make valve springs and crucial engine components. The global recall that starts Monday affects six luxury Lexus sedan models as well as the popular Toyota Crown, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. Of the 270,000 recalled cars, some 180,000 were sold overseas, including 137,000 in the the United States.

According to the released statement by Toyota, models that could potentially have a faulty valve spring include:

  • Lexus IS 350
  • Lexus GS 350
  • Lexus GS 460
  • Lexus GS 450h
  • Lexus LS 460
  • Lexus LS 600h L
  • Toyota Crown

Current model years are unaffected by the recall. Lexus is moving quickly to resolve the situation and will announce an appropriate remedy as soon as possible.